Our commitment to education and patient outreach is rooted in the belief that until a cure is found, Parkinson’s patients and their families deserve the best quality of life possible. This is actualized through our programs of education and patient outreach.

For the Parkinson’s community, we offer a network of Information and Referral Centers whose function is to educate, counsel and refer patients to medical professionals. Through these Centers, the most complete educational, referral and support services are being provided. Each state within the Western United States is served by one or more Centers. APDA also operates a network of Chapters and Support Groups.

The APDA educational program provides information and resources to patients, families, caregivers, doctors, and other medical professionals. We publish and distribute educational materials, which discuss the many issues related to Parkinson's disease. The APDA quarterly newsletter focuses upon the latest developments in research and treatment. We also offer a lending library of educational videos.

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For a listing of Information and Referral Centers in the Western United States, click here.

The APDA’s goal of promoting a better quality of life for the Parkinson’s community is actualized through an expanding network of Information and Referral Centers. The unique contribution of these Centers is to respond to the particular needs of persons affected by Parkinson’s disease. This includes patients, family members and caregivers.
 

Benefits to patients, families and caregivers

Counseling

Free information materials about all aspects of Parkinson's Disease:

• Educational literature
• Video lending library
• Audio tapes

Educational symposiums and seminars
(presented on an on-going basis)

Physician referrals

Support Group referrals

Referrals to Therapists

• Speech
• Physical
• Occupational

Caregiver Referrals

• Assisted living
• Nursing homes
• In-home care
• Adult day care
• Respite care

Insurance – Information and Referrals

• Long term care insurance
• Health care plans, HMOs
• Medicare
• MediCal

Legal

• Elder law
• Low-income or pro-bono services

Financial Planning

• Estate planning
• Medicaid entitlement strategies

Activities of Daily Living

• Transportation
• Medical Equipment
• Discount pharmacies
• Prescription information
  for low-income patients

Advocacy Information

For additional information or to contact an APDA Chapter in the Western United States, please call 1-800-908-2732.

APDA National Website

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Find a Support Group

For additional information or to contact an APDA support group in your area, please call 1-800-908-2732
 

Background

Support Groups are designed to help patients, families and caregivers come to a better knowledge and understanding of the disease. They are responsible for fostering a warm and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels equally important. The groups strive to replace negative attitudes and give a more realistic and clear understanding of the disease and the basic care and treatment required.

Support groups provide the opportunity to exchange information with people who share common experiences. Questions most often asked are “How do you feel?” “What do you do?”, and “How do you handle it?”. Each person describes his or her own particular situation, and in many cases, helpful hints are exchanged. Many new and lasting friendships develop among the members.

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APDA Western United States Chapters

APDA Chapters

APDA Chapters operate as an integral part of our national organization and serve two functions: fundraising and public awareness. They assist our national programs, but are most important in our local outreach, programs, and education. The Chapters also help sponsor educational symposia and conferences in cooperation with the Information and Referral Centers.

For additional information or to contact an APDA Chapter in the Western United States, please call 1-800-908-2732.

For Chapters located throughout the U.S.:
APDA National Website

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Location:
APDA National Young Onset Center

Phone: 877-223-3801
Fax: 847-657-5708

Julie Sacks , MSW, LCSW - Director
Michael Rezak, MD, Ph.D - Medical Director

Website: www.youngparkinsons.org

Email: apda@youngparkinsons.org  

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